I am ready and can’t wait for the tournament to start – Mohammed Kudus
Ghanaian football sensation Mohammed Kudus is eagerly anticipating his debut in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), expressing his excitement to finally hit the pitch.
The West Ham United forward is a standout player set to make his mark in the tournament held in the Ivory Coast, where Ghana is grouped with Egypt, Mozambique, and Cape Verde in Group B. The Black Stars are aiming for a better performance than their previous AFCON outing, where they faced an early exit at the group stage.
Having missed the last edition in Cameroon, the 23-year-old is looking forward to showcasing his skills in the upcoming 2023 AFCON. In a message to Ghanaian fans during a photo shoot with CAF, Kudus said, “Hi Ghanaian fans, I’m happy to be here. And I can’t wait for the tournament to start. Let’s go Ghana.”
Ghana’s national team will enter the AFCON in the Ivory Coast with the fifth most valuable squad among the participating teams. A compilation by the UK’s Bettingsites.co.uk on the market values of players in all 24 competing teams reveals that Nigeria leads with the most valuable squad, totaling €349 million. Napoli striker Victor Osimhen’s substantial transfer value contributes significantly to Nigeria’s squad value, standing at €110 million, surpassing the values of 14 other teams in the tournament.
Morocco, the FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, claim the second spot with a squad valued at €347.4 million, while the host nation, Ivory Coast, follows closely with a squad worth €334.58 million. Defending champions Senegal secure the fourth position with a squad value of €274.4 million.
Ghana occupies the fifth position in the ranking of the most valuable squads at the AFCON. Mohammed Kudus stands out as the Black Stars’ most valuable player, boasting a market value of €45 million. The top 10 most expensive squads in the AFCON include Algeria, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt, and DR Congo in that order.
As the anticipation builds for the AFCON in the Ivory Coast, fans are eager to see how Ghana, led by the talented Mohammed Kudus, will perform on the continental stage. The value of the squad reflects the caliber of players representing the nation, and the competition promises exciting moments for football enthusiasts across the continent. With Kudus at the forefront, Ghana aims to make a lasting impact and potentially secure a better outcome than their previous AFCON campaign.
About The Author
